OpenFields

Field sports hunting and fishing

The use of dogs (lurchers, terriers and hounds) to hunt for and kill other animals is subject to restrictions under UK legislation covering the pursuit of foxes, deer, hares and otters. Hunting on horse-back remains popular using artificial scent trails and hound trail racing is a feature of rural life in Northern England.

The use of ferrets to catch rabbits and vermin is not subject to the same restrictions and falconry using a variety of birds of prey is increasing in popularity as a hunting technique and at heritage fairs and shows.

The shooting of game birds (pheasant, partridge and grouse) is the basis of an important economic activity for many estates and their associated rural communities. Gamekeepers rear millions of pheasant each year in the woods and fields of lowland Britain and their counterparts in highland Scotland and upland England manage grouse stocks. Wildfowling is less commonly practised and limited to a few licenced specialist hunters.

Deer are culled to ensure that the carrying capacity of an area of land is not exceeded with deer stalking a major economic activity for many marginal communities in the Scottish highlands.

Fishing in the UK has a high participation rate. Coarse fishing under licence during the designated season is practised in fresh water streams, rivers, canals, lakes and commercial stocked fisheries. Game fishing, including the use of fly fishing for salmon and trout usually commands the highest rod fees with river beats policed by water bailiffs.